Gouramies' 'whiskers'?

[davejey]

What is the correct name for Gouramies 'whiskers', and what are they used for?
Would another one grow back if it was bitten off etc..?
Davejey

 

[Trevelyn1015]

one of my guoramis came with only one whisker, from the pet store...

he now has 19...

just kidding, he has 2 now... i am sure they grow back jsut fine...

dunno what they are for, though...

 

[Doggfather]

They're called ventral fins and are used to taste food, just like we use taste buds, they are also used to aid navigation around the tank

And yes, with time and good quality water they will regenerate!

 

[dancinns]

And apparently they're also used to annoy each other...at least this is what my two dwarf gouramis use their's for.

 

[Dwarfs]

Gouramis also tend to use these modified ventral fins to investigate new tankmates, as well as instigate fights between one another

 

[ncjharris]

Ours use theirs to pick up food and eat with.

Don't yours?!!?

 

[LoachLover]

They are ventral fins, and yes they will grow back

 

[Whitey]

Mine uses his to walk on rocks.